Thursday, October 6, 2011

Hello, Rosalie Skinner

Since 1988. When I found I had exhausted the local
libraries and my favorite authors didn’t write fast enough. I decided I would
write my own story.

3: What do you like the most
and least about writing?

When I write I tend to become obsessive, that’s the
least desirable trait. The best, well hearing back from readers who want you to
write more, is the biggest thrill of all.

4: What do you for fun and
relaxation when not writing?

When not writing obsessively, you mean? Then I am
happiest being a grandmother.

5: Which authors do you like
to read?

I tend to avoid reading Fantasy authors while I am
writing, but I will indulge in crime, Michael Connolly, Harlan Coban, and for a
little history I read Bernard Cornwall.

6: What’s the one thing you’d
most like people to know about you?

Hmm, that I am about to become a published author
with Museitup Publishing and I am to host a Fantasy writing workshop at the
Museonline Free Writer’s conference.

7: Tell me about your current
novel, where I can find it?

This month will see the second book in the series
The Chronicles of Caleath released. Exiled: Winter’s Curse can be found on the
Museitup Publishing website or a link is also on my website at www.Rosalieskinner.com

8: Do you have any tips for
aspiring authors?

Never give up. Keep writing. Keep reading. Listen to
advice, grasp the concepts and apply them as you feel they enhance your
writing. Let the advice that doesn’t seem to apply stand and simmer. One day it
may be helpful.

9: Do
you base your characters on real-life people?

Not intentionally. The
courage though, to face life’s adversity came from watching someone close face
the changes that came from coping and learning to live with a chronic
debilitating disease. One character is named after, if not based on a real
person. A dear friend who asked to be in the books, the last time I saw her, is now a
character and appears in several of the books in The Chronicles of Caleath. She
will also appear in the next series.

10: How
did you come up with the idea for this book?

I have always loved the
fantasy genre and science fiction too. So that was a base to work on. Then I have
taken aspects of life around us and applied them to Caleath’s world. We live in
a strange environment, I guess that’s where I found most of my ideas. In
Caleath’s world people are learning to live with virtual reality games, real
life TV shows, big brother watching for entertainment, drugs, environmental
problems, relationships that don’t follow Hollywood parameters and the hiccups
life throws down as challenges to living. Then I add a lot of imagination and
fantasy ideas too. Pirates, dragons, whales, magic, damsels with attitude and
heroes on horseback.

11: What are you currently
working on?

I have a WIP. The second book in a new series that
follows the Chronicles of Caleath. It is on standby at present as I work toward
the release of the eight books in the first series. With editing and promoting
I am kept pretty busy.

12. Is there anything else you’d like us to know
about you?

I can be contacted through my website, or blog. I
love to hear from readers and other authors.

13. Where can we find you? Website? Blog?

Website: Rosalieskinner.com

Blog: Ramblings from Lady Rosalie http://rosalieskinner.blogspot.com

Thank you Roseanne for hosting me today.

EXCERPT: Exiled: Winter’s Curse

Unedited

Despite the unexpected appearance of
a threat in their midst, the experienced bandits reacted with lightning
reflexes. Men swarmed from the cave, drawing bows and steel. They took no
chances once they identified their quarry.

Caleath spent precious moments
removing bowmen from the fray.

With the instinct of a Rampartian cat,
he leapt to the ground, before he drew steel. His Karadorian blade ran red with
firelight and dark blood as he brandished the weapon.

The encounter raged unhampered by
convention. A bloodthirsty melee ensued where drawn blood drew savage reprisal.
Caleath thrust and parried. Striking high, blocking low he lunged forward to
take out one adversary while blocking another.

He withdrew his sword to
counter-thrust past a badly executed onslaught. Relentless, desperate attacks,
driven by anger and fear, caused lethal misjudgment. Another antagonist fell
before Caleath’s tireless blade. When the sword snagged under the dying man’s
weight Caleath feinted. He snatched the wrist of an unguarded arm flailing
toward him.

With a wicked twist, he snapped the
arm back. The sound of fracturing bone echoed with the scream while Caleath
hefted free his sword and silenced the bandit’s agony.

Two brigands maintained their
assault. Caleath caught a fleeting image of a third, somehow lost from sight.
His adversaries worked as a team, moving with experience and care to engage
him.

From nowhere a silent missile struck
Caleath, missing his temple by a hair’s breadth. He tried to turn but black
pain exploded in his skull. The young survivor from the village, safely out of
reach of Caleath’s sword, smiled and lowered a slingshot.

Caleath staggered against the bole
of the fig. Fighting to stay conscious, he watched two brigands step forward to
finish the fight.

Unable to raise his sword, Caleath
closed his eyes and waited for death. He heard the unforgettable whistle of
arrows. He didn’t feel the quarrels strike. Darkness caressed him. The abyss
offered sweet oblivion and he sank onto his haunches.

took me a minute to get it to plau nicely...but here I am :) Always nice to hear from a fellow spec fiction author.I wish you continued success in your endeavors.I am curious as to why you read no fantasy when writing, since, as you said you write obsessively and have so many works in line, that would mean not touching base with your chosen genre for very extended periods of time.

I know when I am writing I try to avoid titles by authors who I know I tend to write 'like' (and desperately avoid endulging in my addiction to Tolkien lest it slip into my voice) but our genres grow and change so quickly and there is so much to be learned from successful authors' work, how do you keep up without actually READING what is being published?

Thank you for being here today. And thanks for hosting these authors, Roseanne.

Great question Eldheni, Once my manuscript is complete I will again delve into Fantasy and I find I am reading more new authors as I discover and meet them.I think having read the genre for so many years before I began to write, helps. Between manuscripts and there is a fair time between completing the series and starting on the next manuscript, I have been able to catch up with trends in the genre. Some trends I am happy to leave alone. When I resume work on my current WIP I will put aside my 'To be Read' pile and concentrate on writing again. Thanks for your question and visiting today. Thanks Roseanne for having me here today.

Eldehi,Thinking more about your query... I realise that when I wrote the series, I didn't write for publication, so trends didn't a play an important part on my writing. I wrote because I had to. I just didn't want to 'borrow' any ideas from other authors, even by accident. I guess that took the pressure off knowing what other successful authors were writing, because at the time, I had no intention of being published. That came later...

Hi Karen, Ro asks great questions and gives scope for interesting answers. It seems you are everywhere today too!! Isn't cyber space a great place to hang out!Thanks for your observations. I tend to reply to a comment and THEN think. Hmm.. I am so thrilled to have people comment and ask thoughtful questions I feel they deserve an honest reply. It's great to dig deep and learn more about myself too.Thanks for dropping by.

Hi, nice to meet a fellow fantasy and sci-fier. :) I write urban fantasy noir, and am about to be published with MuseItUp too. Eight books in one series is very impressive. Hats off to you. It's so hard to say goodbye to a great character, isn't it?

I chuckled when you said you are obsessive when you write. I completely understand that feeling. When the story pours out of the writer, it is mandatory to get it down on paper...or perhaps lose it. Eight books is quite a lot of obsession!! Congratulations--so excited for you.

Cin Eric, Muse is a great family to belong to! Congratulations on being contracted for your Urban fantasy! I will keep an eye out for it. Eight books.. hmm.. How can you tell I find it difficult to let go of the character? Do I have an excuse..hmm No. Not really. The story spans quite a few adventures... and years. Didn't seem like a lot when I was writing. The story flowed until it reached it's conclusion.J Q.. it was a lot of obsession. Then when the story ended.. the need to write faded to a normal level. Thank goodness I have a very patient, long suffering family. It took more than ten years to get the series written.